Fri.’s Devo - God’s Promises For His People

Read: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1 There were seven nations in the promised land that they were to defeat. I call them the “ites”. God told them to completely destroy them and have no mercy. They were not to make any covenant of peace with these “ites”, because if they allowed them to live, they would turn them away from serving him and lead them into idolatry. They were also to destroy everything that had to do with the worship of their gods. *** The Israelites were God’s people and were to be holy and set apart from the people in the world. God chose them out of all the people in the earth to set his name on and to love and care for. His covenant with those who love him would last for a thousand generations, but he promised to repay those who hate him. *** God’s promise to his faithful was to love, bless and multiply them. He would bless their womb and their possessions. He would keep them well and help them conquer nations much more numerous and more physically stronger than them. They would not need to fear their enemy because they Lord was with them. He would clear the nations before them by throwing them into confusion until they were destroyed. Their kings would be brought down and destroyed. They were to burn all their pagan possessions in the fire and not covet the gold and silver in them. If they bring any of their idols into their house, their house will be devoted to destruction. (Remember Rachel who stole her father’s idols. She died soon after that.) *** God had tested them and tried them in the wilderness to prepare them for this moment. He had fed them, given them water, kept them safe and clothed. God had given them laws teaching them how to love him and love one another so that they would prosper in all they did. *** When they did prosper and had more than they need, they were to remember where it came from and who allowed them to have it. It is the Lord who gives a person power to get wealth. They were to always remember the Lord and serve him only. *** In Luke, Jesus was invited to the Simon’s to eat. Simon was a Pharisee. A woman who was a sinner, entered the house and knelt at Jesus feet as he was reclining to eat. She wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. She kissed his feet then anointed them with the ointment. *** Simon thought that if Jesus was a prophet he would know what kind of woman this was and not let her continue. Jesus perceived his thoughts and gave Simon a parable. *** In his parable there was a money lender who had two clients. One owed him 500 denarii and the other 50. The money lender decided to forgive them both their debt. He asked Simon which would love the money lender the most. Simon replied the one who owed him the most. Jesus explained that this woman, because of her sins owed God the most and is more appreciative of God’s forgiveness than Simon who was “righteous”. This was her way of showing her appreciation. *** Jesus then told the woman that her sins were forgiven and her faith had saved her. He released her to go in peace. The other Pharisees had a big problem with Jesus forgiving her sins. 
 *** Their opinion did not stop Jesus from continuing to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God. The women who followed Jesus provided for his ministry out of their means. One of them, Chuza, was married to the manager of Herod’s household. *** Lord, we know that a great wealth transfer is coming to the earth and the wealth of the wicked has been stored up for us. May we remember what we read today and use it to glorify you and grow your kingdom. May we be like the women who supported your work on the earth.